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Mitral Valve Prolapse
The mitral valve is located on the left side of the heart
and separates the left atrium and the left ventricle. In
some people, when the leaflets of the mitral valve close
with each heartbeat, they protrude or prolapse back into the
left atrium. If the valve seals shut each time the heart
beats, there is no problem. Sometimes the valve leaflets
protrude so much that the valve no longer shuts tight,
allowing a leakage of blood backwards into the left atrium.
This leakage is called Mitral Valve Insufficiency or Mitral
Regurgitation.
Recently, Mitral Valve Prolapse is being diagnosed more
often with the advances in cardiac echo (ultrasound).
Because many children and adolescents are found to have
Mitral Valve Prolapse on echo only, it is considered by some
physicians to be a variation of “normal”. Children with this
finding usually have no symptoms and if mild, there are no
physical findings and no symptoms.
Treatment:
- Not needed for children with Mitral Valve Prolapse
on echo only.
- Advised for children with physical, as well as echo
evidence of Mitral Valve Prolapse. SBE prophylaxis is
recommended in the form of antibiotics given at times of
possible bacterial infection such as most dental work
and some surgeries.
Activities:
- Normal for all patient with no restrictions.
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